Starving to Blooming (Eve)

onTuesday, April 21, 2009

Having spent the last 14 years suffering from Anorexia Nervosa before becoming pregnant I worried about how my changing body may bring back the thoughts, feelings and negativity I had experienced for so long. I had only been in recovery for a number of months before getting pregnant I didn’t feel I was prepared for either getting “bigger” and especially for how my body would look post-pregnancy. I have to say I have been happily surprised by my own reaction. I loved being pregnant, took to it like a duck to water. I enjoyed my ever blossoming bump and showed it off to the max. My worries stuck about how I would feel post-pregnancy. Here I am, 3 weeks after giving birth to my beautiful daughter and feeling (and looking!) fabulous! Yes, I have lumps, bumps, wobblies and stretch marks but I look better than I have in years. Going from 105lbs to 150lbs during my pregnancy has done something, has changed me. I can now appreciate my womanly figure, my curves!! My daughter has done more for me than just making me a mother, but also helping me see the beauty in my own skin.

~Age: 27
~Number of pregnancies and births: 1
~The age of your children, or how far postpartum you are: daughter, 3 weeks

WOW!!! Great story. I hope hope hope I look like you 3 weeks after giving birth! (I’m 37wks 1st pregnancy) and I have to be honest, the first 2 pix, are a lil scary bc you look sickly :( it just doesn’t look healthy, and this is coming from someone who has always been pretty thin. your new body is thin, but sexy and curvey (you have a great shape) and seeing flesh instead of bones looks sooo much better! but more important than all this physical stuff, you sound awesome. made me tear up to hear such a transformation. good for you mama!

You are sexier than ever before. It’s only been 3 weeks, so you still look so lovely and can tell you were very beautiful while pregnant. I’m glad you had a positive experience and have such a positive attitude now.

Oh wow! What a great physical and emotional transformation! I agree with the previous post, you did look very unhealthy in your pre-pregnancy pics, you are one HOT mama and I cant believe you are only 3 weeks out!! Amazing!

wow, thats an amazing story, im so glad you can see yourself as the beautiful woman you are, and no longer feel the need to strive to be something else not only unhealthy for you but something that would affect your baby as well. Good for you for embracing your body, and accepting the changes, knowing your health is whats important, and that you can have that as well as be a beautiful woman!! i cant imagine all the emotions you must have gone through with the transition, but you look AMAZING. youve come so far :) ive seen alot of nice breasts, but yours are so beautiful/perfect!! just thought id throw that in !! congratulations on your little one, and on your acceptance of you :)

I was about 99lb in the “before” photos. They don’t even capture how thin I was at my lowest of about 84lbs. Now I’m a healthy 140 and at 6 weeks PP I look and feel better than ever. It makes me even more determined to give my daughter a positive body image.
Thanks for all the lovely comments mamas!!

Congrats! I had an eating disorder that first developed 11 years ago, that took a few years to heal from. By the time I had my daughter almost 5 years ago I felt fully recovered, and even then it was hard to deal with my body image after having gained over 50 lbs. I can’t imagine how hard it would have been just a few months after starting to recover. I hope this is the beginning of a positive time in your life and that you can continue on the course you have begun. You are worth it!

Just wanted to say that your story is so inspiring and that I’m thrilled for you. You look amazing in your post-pardum pictures. I also struggled with an eating disorder for many years and just had my 2nd baby a month ago. My precious children are one of my main motivations to not relapse. I haven’t yet and pray that I won’t ever. I hope the same is true for you. Thank you for sharing your story and pictures here.

Congrats and you DO look beautiful. I also suffered from eating disorders for many years before becoming pregnant and had the same worries. But I am feeling great at 9 months post partum and enjoying my post pregnancy body. I am so happy for you and glad you can see how beautiful your strong, healthy body is.